Though it pained me to feel as such, I couldn't help but worry when I saw that look in your eyes this afternoon. The rumours surrounding your house had been numerous as of late, and though I was loathe to say such things, I felt that I must remind you of the heavy burden your bloodline placed on you. Yet, when I saw the way you smiled after your conversation with that man, I lost but all of my resolve.
As a child, when I was first employed by your family, I had heard whispers of the dark fate that awaited those who spoke too long to ladies of your house. I never paid these tales any mind; at least, not until I had to comfort you after the untimely death of a boy you adored. Your older brother, Master Halvatt, had pulled me aside during this tragic time and imparted to me the strange and awful truth of your heritage. Just as all women of House Ravanel loved the enchanted rose garden passed down from generation to generation, all of them suffered from an ancient curse that killed those they hoped to love.
I did not believe this when I first heard such a story. Yet from what I have ascertained in the books detailing your lineage's history, it seemed that, for women of House Ravanel, misfortune was destined to be their ever present companion indeed, always lingering but a glimpse away. Though your family hired many a storied exorcist to help lift the curse, none were ever successful. A desperate attempt, the magic of man being pitted against that of an ancient God. But for a prestigious family such as yours, perhaps nothing was of more import than to be able to successfully marry off daughters to other prestigious families, all in the name of trade agreements and political favours.
Unlike your predecessors, however, you seemed to have a complete disregard for the weight of your lineage. Instead of waiting for others to coax you into marriage with a man that would give no love, you were intent on pursuing relationships through your own means. And one by one, the men you sought out inevitably died. I comforted you with each passing, and yet, despite all the lives you had taken, you seemed to only grow more defiant in the face of your curse.
That being said, Master Halvatt was most displeased when I informed him of the newest target of your affections. Though House Plajaerta was not of our province, their name carried them far due to their high standing among merchant families in our country. That being said, Master Halvatt seemed concerned that they would not have heard of the rumours surrounding you. Most noblemen in our province stayed far from women of House Ravanel, either out of superstition or fear. The truth could not come out, lest the reputation of your lineage would become terribly damaged.
From what information I could gather, the youngest son of House Plajaerta, Gache, had been sent here to oversee a branch of his family's suppliers. After discussing this with Master Halvatt, we agreed that the safest path would be to temporarily occupy you with a distraction as we waited for Gache to conclude his business here.
It was decided that in the coming days, we were to embark on a month-long trip to the capital. I dearly hoped that you would not be upset at me for insisting that you go. I do not ever enjoy sullying your opinion with my own, but in these circumstances, I felt that there was no other choice. Guilt filled my heart at the thought of taking you away from what made you so happy, but I must say that I felt no regret for my decision.
In order to preserve that smile you had when you first met him, this was the only way. And though you may never see him again, I hoped you may be able to find happiness in the thought of what could've been, rather than being confronted with the reality of what was destined to happen, time and time again.